When Can You Exercise after Plastic Surgery?

By Sheryl Pilcher on November 22, 2016

Exercise is essential for good health and a streamlined physique, especially after undergoing body contouring treatments. Body contouring procedures, like liposuction, can provide tone and definition when exercise alone isn't enough. Maintaining beautiful, slimming results after plastic surgery requires a healthy diet and regular exercise, but some time is needed to recover before immediately jumping back into your exercise routine. To receive your personalized exercise timeline after plastic surgery, contact San Antonio, TX plastic surgeon Sheryl Pilcher.

Post-surgery Exercise Timeline

After plastic surgery, many patients are eager to get back to their normal routines, including exercise, but it is important to allow the body time to heal. The time required for recovery will vary depending on the type of surgery performed, personal healing times, and how well pre- and post-operative instructions are followed. The following is only a general exercise timeline after plastic surgery. Before resuming any form of exercise after plastic surgery, it is important to get approval from your surgeon.

Three to Five Days after Surgery

During the first few days of recovery after plastic surgery, patients will likely feel sore and uncomfortable and experience some swelling and bruising. Strenuous exercise and activity must be avoided during this time to reduce the risk of complications. By the third day of recovery, it is often recommended that patients begin light activity, specifically walking. Light walking can help reduce the risk of developing blood clots in the legs and help encourage blood circulation, which is essential for healing.

Seven to 14 Days after Surgery

Swelling, bruising, and pain should subside as the body heals. Pain may be gone as soon as seven to 14 days after surgery, depending on the procedure. Although some patients may feel almost back to normal, it's important to continue to refrain from strenuous exercise and activity during this time. Walking is still recommended. Some patients will be encouraged to lengthen their walks to help prepare the body for more activity in the next weeks.

Two to Four Weeks after Surgery

Many patients will feel recovered enough to increase their activity level. Upon physician approval, patients may be healed enough to increase their exercise activity, excluding strenuous exercise and activity. Walking should continue and light cardio can be resumed. Care should be taken when introducing activities back into any routine to avoid exercising areas where plastic surgery procedures were performed.

Four to Six Weeks after Surgery

By the fourth to sixth week after surgery, many patients will be able to introduce some weight training and more moderate exercise back into their routines. However, strenuous activity and exercise is generally not recommended at this time.

Over Six Weeks after Surgery

After six weeks of recovery, most patients will be recovered enough to resume normal activity and rigorous exercise. With that said, patients should wait for approval from their physician before undertaking strenuous activity.